First United Corporation (NASDAQ:FUNC) Plans Quarterly Dividend of $0.28

Key Points

• First United raised its quarterly dividend 7.7% to $0.28 per share, payable November 2 to shareholders of record October 19. The annualized yield is approximately 2.6%, and the company has increased its dividend for six consecutive years.
• The dividend appears well covered, with a current payout ratio of 26.3% and an expected future payout ratio of 21.7% based on projected earnings.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with an average “Buy” rating and a $49.50 price target. First United recently exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $1.13 in EPS versus the $1.05 consensus estimate.

First United Corporation (NASDAQ:FUNC - Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, September 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 19th will be given a dividend of 0.28 per share by the bank on Monday, November 2nd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, October 19th. This is a 7.7% increase from First United's previous quarterly dividend of $0.26.

First United has increased its dividend by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 6 years. First United has a dividend payout ratio of 26.3% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect First United to earn $4.80 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.04 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 21.7%.

First United Stock Up 0.6%

First United stock traded up $0.28 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $43.03. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,757 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,055. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $44.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $40.96. The company has a market cap of $277.58 million, a P/E ratio of 11.15 and a beta of 0.51. First United has a fifty-two week low of $33.54 and a fifty-two week high of $46.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

First United (NASDAQ:FUNC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 20th. The bank reported $1.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $65.27 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.55 million. First United had a return on equity of 13.69% and a net margin of 20.05%. On average, research analysts expect that First United will post 4.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Hovde Group reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $49.00 target price on shares of First United in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial increased their target price on First United from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of First United from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of First United in a research report on Friday, July 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $49.50.

About First United

First United Corporation is a bank holding company headquartered in Oakland, Maryland. Through its principal subsidiary, First United Bank & Trust, the company provides community banking services to individuals, families, businesses and organizations.

First United Bank & Trust offers deposit products, residential and commercial real estate lending, consumer loans, business financing and other credit services. The bank also provides wealth management, trust, investment and insurance-related services through its banking and financial services operations.

Founded in 1900, First United serves communities in western Maryland and nearby areas of West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania through branch offices, digital banking services and other delivery channels.

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